Kukla's Korner Hockey

Although Ladd is prized for his physical play, Rutherford noted that a key step in his development will be learning how to harness that desire to hit everybody on the ice and put opponents through the boards every shift. Yet Canes coaches and Ladd himself are quick to note there’s no call to change his style of play.

“For me to be successful and to bring the most out of my game, I need to go, like you said, ‘100 miles an hour.’ I’ve gotta be banging bodies and getting dirty, getting to the front of the net,” Ladd said. “That’s just the way I play. Injuries are part of the game. They’re frustrating, but I’m not going to change the way I play, because that would take me back a step.”